Flatmates.com.au recently completed their National Share Accommodation Survey and have found out how flatmates really feel about shared living.
Over 10,000 people who had been members of the site since 2019 were surveyed and there were several key findings.
Sharing is a necessity for most
The majority of flatmates share because they can’t afford to live by themselves. In fact, 52% said they share as they can’t afford to rent by alone, and a further 21% said they share to save money.
It’s no secret that the costs of living and renting in the inner-city are high, so how do flatmates and renters save?
For those who do own their home, 75% said that they rent out their spare bedrooms to help pay off their mortgage.
Of the flatmates surveyed, 55% would like to literally buy into the Australian Dream and own their own home one day.
However, half of these respondents also believe home ownership isn’t accessible.
Food delivery is a must
Rent may be pricey, but it appears there’s always enough cash for food delivery.
Of the 10,000 surveyed, 73% said they can’t afford to rent by themselves, but 52% of these said they would order food delivery at least once a week and 20% ordering two to three times per week.
Maybe these flatmates could cook a meal together?
Forget stranger danger
There’s no shortage of stories when it comes to friendship breakdowns after moving in together. Maybe Hannah seemed the pinnacle of hygiene when you were at uni, but now you realise she never does the dishes or scrubs the bathroom floor.
Cleanliness is the most annoying aspect of sharing according to respondents. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
It’s no wonder that the survey found 47% of flatmates think strangers make the best housemates.
Lack of cleanliness is also the biggest bugbear for flatmates with 50% saying it was the single most annoying thing about living in or managing a shared home.
Locking in a rental or flatmate is the main hurdle
When a good rental or share house comes on the market, it doesn’t last for long. 30% of respondents in the survey found that competition and lack of options were the most frustrating part of finding a share house or flatmate.
It’s important to click with your new flatmate, but when you have to choose quickly to avoid paying double rent, it can result in picking the wrong one.
This could be why one in five felt like they ‘settled’ on a flatmate or home.
Data gathered from over 10,000 Flatmates.com.au members from all across Australia in Dec 2019.
This article was originally published on
12 Feb 2020 at 2:15pm
but has been regularly updated to keep the information current.